Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-09

The significance OF yesterdays elections is not
wholly TO be found Ia the victory OF the demo
Gratis party In New York and virginia, where most
o. the disarection was supposed TO exist The
poor showing or the Henry George patty at the
polls after all the prophecies that had been made
OF us success. will cause surprise not only among
the friends or the movement, but among It's enc
mics, who had at least done Il the compliment TO
fsar la undeveloped strength.
OF course. IL would have been unfair 70 expect
very much RON party 80 recently organized as
the united labor party. But the lack OF gani1a-
tiou viii not by any me ms sufice 70 account for
the clean sweep made OF It's large hopes more
probable theory Is that It's two apparent changes
OF front on one Of the stirring Questions OF th hour
made even some OF It's friends suspicious Of It's
vitality. When Mr.. George nrst emerged as a
popular leader IN New York city he was recog.
nizeo AZ man whose sound patriotism could not
b called In question Whatever his peculiar ideas
might b with respect 70 lind tenure. But he had
no sooner been nominated for mayor Than the
socialists and COMMUNISTS Claimed him for their
own and locked 70 his support In his eagerne, .
TO win the battle At the polls he made the great
mistake OF his life by refusing 10 cut himself free
nom this pe-tiferous following, although strongly
urged thersto By his best friends TILL multitude
Of good citizens and honest men who had resolved
10 vots for him became thoroughly oisguyted and
went over 20 one OF the otner parties. Months
aflsrnar ard when he had come TO realize his mis-
take, he had distinct breach with his IN welcome
supporters, and drove them out OF his party as he
ought 20 have done In the t1rst place. The remedy
was applied too Late. The friends he had allenated
IN the TALL were not TO be won back In the summer
and the enemies ne made in the summer were
ready TO drive their knives into him on the next
election day.
Nr. George IL himself q reputable citizen and en-
titled personally TO the respect he enjoys; and his
peculiar Theories. whether one dissents rom them
or lot, are admitted ~ all thinking men TO be
worthy Of Sr.ous examination. But nothing that
savors OF socialism and communism. In the more
Degraded interpr tatlon OF those terms can be
treated even with complacency By the freernen Of
America; and the high character OF the man In
VOWED. the honesty or his Convictions and the
most brilliant presentation OF the logic wherewith
he essays TO convince Others will avail absolutely
nothing for the salvation OF any cause that leads
ns followers naturally 10 advanced communism.
The republicans now discover that they did not
expect 70 carry Maryland and Virginia. The dem
ocrats also learn that they had not the slightest
nea Of success IN Mass ,chusetts, Ohio and PENN
sylvania Tue republicans have won victory in
New Jersey and, unexpectedly TO most outziders
n the postponed Congressional election In Rhode
Inland, giving TO their party majority OF States
IN the House o.: Representatives with which TO
elect President iftnere shall be no decision BY
the electors. But these gains are more than
overoalanced by the democratic vIcuo In New
fork state and city, marked by the
shrfnkaSe OF the labor vote, and renewed Impetus
% the Cleveland boom While the republican
victories prepare them to elect President In the
House. the democratic successes encourage that
psrty 70 believe that the electoral college will ind
no difncilty In selecting a democratic President,
thus relieving the House Of all responsibility In the
matter The machine" beats the independents In
View York city as In Baltimore these CT les leaving
% republican Philadelphia the credit OF rebuking
bossism by endorsing the Independent revolt
against boss Leeds Oregon defeats prohibi-
ton and Dakota strongly favors division
OF theterrftory. Election day Is over; the Joy OF
the exulrant b-gins 70 sober down, The disappont-
nent Of the defeated begins to lose some OF its
Sharpness; the politician Is already busy with new
schemes, but the N rss OF voters turn resolutely
from politics TO business, and the political peace
fulness and quiet Of Washington begin TO settle
down upon the recently distracted States and ter.
r1torieS